Identity, ethnography and queer communities: What a radically inclusive church taught me
As researchers, it can be difficult to remain objective when undertaking long-term, ethnographic studies or in emotionally charged, subjective situations. As a Social Anthropology student at university I undertook an ethnographic research project of a “gay church” (the Metropolitan Community Church), initially wanting to understand the importance of religion to a community whose identity is at odds with traditional religious beliefs.
My own identity meant I struggled to put aside my focus, and admittedly assumptions, as I attempted to remain objective in an incredibly personal and subjective culture. By trying so hard to remain a passive observer, I distanced myself from my own identity and experiences.
It is still the project I think back to, to remind myself that we can never be truly objective, and in aiming for objectivity we need to remember who we are and what our experiences may lead us to assume about others. This talk will discuss the way we can risk losing a connection with a community by focusing on a project brief or our own assumptions.
